As it does every year, the agri-food cooperative marks the end of summer with a month of convivial events: the concert of international artist NOA together with the Emilia Romagna Festival, the 100% Italian Award, the Campestre Race, the Ecological Walk, the Argentine gastronomic evening dedicated to Asado, and a visit to the historic park of Villa La Babina
President Giovanni Bettini: "It is one of the most anticipated events of the year because it allows us to celebrate the deep connection we have created with our local community through moments of togetherness, taste, and celebration"
Imola, July 2026 – As the summer season draws to a close, Settembre in Villa returns as one of the most anticipated events on the Imola calendar. The series of initiatives promoted by CLAI to enhance the local area and offer opportunities for togetherness and socializing confirms the format already successfully tested, but for this new edition, it is further expanding all the events on the program.
"This year too, we cannot wait for Settembre in Villa to begin because it allows us to celebrate the deep connection we have created with our local area through many moments of togetherness, taste, and celebration – Giovanni Bettini, President of CLAI, emphasizes –. We have put together a calendar with various opportunities to ensure that everyone can find something of interest: moments dedicated to good food, thanks to the quality of CLAI products, will be joined by those dedicated to music, sports, culture, and nature. And it will be during this special month that the 100% Italian Award will also be presented, which CLAI awards to outstanding organizations that contribute to the well-being of the local area in which they are based. We expect a great turnout."
The 100% Italian Award to the "Insieme a te" Association
As President Bettini mentioned, one of the most anticipated moments is certainly the presentation of the 100% Italian Award. Through this recognition, now in its ninth edition, CLAI speaks out in favor of enhancing Italian heritage and traditions by celebrating an individual or organization that has distinguished itself through its commitment to promoting culture, work, and solidarity.
This year, the award will go to the Faenza volunteer association Insieme a Te, in the province of Ravenna, which in 2018 opened La Spiaggia dei Valori in Punta Marina Terme. This is a beach facility dedicated to people with moderate and severe disabilities, allowing those with vulnerabilities to fulfill their dream of spending time on a specially equipped beach, fully enjoying the beneficial effects of the sun, the sea, and the company of many people.
The award ceremony will be held on September 12 during an event in the historic park of Villa La Babina.
An evening with the beautiful voice of Noa for the Emilia Romagna Festival.
However, the calendar of "Settembre in Villa 2026" will open with an exclusive musical event: the "Best of NOA & Band" concert, presented in collaboration with the Emilia Romagna Festival. On Saturday, September 5, at 9:00 p.m., NOA (vocals and percussion), the renowned Israeli singer-songwriter who grew up in Yemen, Israel, and the United States and has always been committed to peace dialogue, will take the stage at Villa La Babina. NOA is one of the most moving and recognizable international voices, an artist capable of speaking to people's hearts while always maintaining an elegant and refined style, which will help create a truly captivating atmosphere for the evening.
Joining her will be Ruslan Sirota on piano, Omri Abramov on bass and saxophone, and Daniel Dor on percussion. The setlist will feature the great hits that marked NOA's career, with selections from the album Letters to Bach.
Admission is free, but mandatory registration is required, which can be made by calling 0542 25747 starting from August 3.
12 km Campestre Race and inclusive Ecological Walk
The following day, Sunday the 6th, the traditional CLAI Campestre race will get underway, a competitive twelve-kilometer race now in its seventh edition, held under the patronage of the Municipality of Imola and with the collaboration of Atletica Imola Sacmi Avis, Fidal Emilia Romagna, and the Comitato Podistico Bolognese. The race starts at 9:00 a.m. from the CLAI headquarters in Sasso Morelli.
Registrations can be made on the website irunning.it/emiliaromagna by 12:00 a.m. on Thursday, September 3, 2026 (€5.00 fee); on the same day, Sunday, September 6, the fee will be payable on site (€8.00) up to 15 minutes before the race start.
For those who prefer to spend a few hours outdoors together but on a more relaxed and contemplative route, CLAI is once again presenting the seven-kilometer Ecological Walk this year, making the initiative even more inclusive. The start will also take place at 9:00 a.m. from the CLAI headquarters in Sasso Morelli.
The registration fee is €2.50, payable on site. Individual participants can register on the day of the event up to half an hour before the start. Groups, on the other hand, can register until 12:00 a.m. on Thursday, September 3, 2026, by email (segreteria@clai.it) or by calling 0542-55711, CLAI Secretariat Office (during office hours).
For both events, all information can be found on the websites atleticaimola.com and clai.it/campestre, or can be requested by email (segreteria@clai.it or by calling 0542-55711 (during office hours).
Argentine Evening with Le Macellerie del Contadino
Tuesday the 8th and Wednesday the 9th will feature Le Macellerie del Contadino: CLAI's network of local shops is organizing the Argentine Evening – with Afuegolento and Dott. Asado at Villa La Babina. A special event dedicated to cultural fusion in cooking: the Argentine fire of Asado cooking will meet the quality of CLAI meat to create a range of culinary experiences waiting to be discovered. The presence of two Asado cooking masters will make the atmosphere even more intriguing.
The event, which costs 35 euros, will start at 8:00 p.m. on both evenings and is reserved for a limited number of people.
To participate, write to segreteria@clai.it by Friday, September 4
Park visits and charity tasting
The month of CLAI initiatives will conclude on Saturday the 26th, at 3:30 p.m., with a guided tour of the historic park of Villa La Babina to discover the great monumental trees, such as the White Elm, the Holm Oaks, the Ash trees, the majestic Atlas Cedars, and the row of Ash trees protected by the Region.
An immersive experience of culture and beauty that is part of the initiatives connected to Naturalmente Imola 2026 by the Municipality of Imola. A musical interlude curated by the Nuova Scuola di Musica Vassura-Baroncini of Imola is also planned.
During the same event, it will also be possible to participate, for 10 euros, in the Fragranze di Salame Tasting, CLAI's new line of cold cuts with natural essences created with the contribution of Baldo Baldinini. The money raised will be donated to the Istituto Santa Teresa del Bambin Gesù in Imola. Booking is mandatory and must be made by Thursday, September 24.
For information and mandatory registration for the events, email segreteria@clai.it
